US20090146090A1 - Pilot Type Water Discharging/Stopping and Flow Regulating Valve Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device capable of performing both the discharging/stopping of water and the regulation of flow by light operations, and capable of, once the flow is regulated, discharging the water at a pre-regulated specified flow in the next water discharge even if the water is stopped.

The pilot type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device has a main valve, a back pressure chamber, an introducing small hole, a pilot channel and a flow regulating mechanism. The flow of the main channel is regulated by advancing and retreating the main valve following the advance/retreat of a pilot valve. The valve device further has a water discharging/stopping switching mechanism that switches between the discharging and stopping of water by advancing and retreating the pilot valve between a water discharge position and a water stop position. Furthermore, the flow regulating mechanism is configured to maintain the flow regulating position of the pilot valve at a previously regulated flow regulating position when the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism causes the pilot valve to perform water discharging operation after causing the pilot valve to perform water stopping operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Technical Field
• The present invention relates to a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device arranged to discharge/stop an water and regulate a rate of flow of the water, by controlling an opening degree of an pilot channel. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device capable of discharging the water by a desired rate of the flow that is previously regulated, even where the water is repeatedly discharged and stopped.
• 2. Background Art
• Conventionally, various kinds of water taps have been used. In each of the conventional water taps, there is provided a main valve for changing an opening degree of a main channel, and a large force is required to advance/retreat the main valve toward and away from a main valve seat, so that there is a problem that operation of the water tap is heavy.
• In view of this, as means for lightening the operation of the water tap, a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device may be built in the water tap, wherein the device is arranged such that the opening degree of the main channel is changed by advance/retreat of the main valve that follows advance/retreat of a pilot valve.
• For example,Patent Document 1 identified below discloses a construction of this kind of pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device.FIG. 29 shows a specific example of the device.
• In thisFIG. 29,reference signs300 and302 respectively denote an inflow channel and an outflow channel as primary and secondary side portions of the main channel.Reference sign304 denotes a main valve which is disposed in the main channel and which is provided by a diaphragm valve.
• Themain valve304 is advanced and retreated toward and away from amain valve seat306, for changing the opening degree of the main channel, so as to regulate a rate of flow of water through the main channel, depending on the opening degree of the main channel.
• Reference sign308 denotes a back pressure chamber that is defined on a backside of themain valve304. An internal pressure in theback pressure chamber308 acts as a pressing force that is applied to themain valve304 in a valve-closing direction.
• Themain valve304 has an introducing small hole310 formed therethrough such that theinflow channel300 and theback pressure chamber308 are in communication with each other via the introducing small hole310.
• This introducing small hole310 introduces the water coming from theinflow channel300, into theback pressure chamber308, so as to increase the pressure in theback pressure chamber308.
• Themain valve304 has also apilot channel312 formed therethrough so as to serve as a discharge channel such that theback pressure chamber308 and theoutflow channel302 are in communication with each other via thepilot channel312.
• Thispilot channel312 discharges the water from theback pressure chamber308 to theoutflow channel302, so as to reduce the pressure in theback pressure chamber308.
• Reference sign314 denotes a pilot valve that is disposed to be movable integrally with adrive rod316. The opening degree of thepilot channel312 is controlled by advance/retreat of thepilot valve314 relative to apilot valve seat318 in a vertical direction (as seen in the figure), i.e., in the same direction as advance/retreat of themain valve304.
• InFIG. 29,reference sign320 denotes an electric drive device for advancing and retreating thepilot valve314 together with thedrive rod316.
• In the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device shown inFIG. 29, when thepilot valve314 is advanced toward thepilot valve seat318, a gap between thepilot valve314 and thepilot valve seat318 is reduced whereby the opening degree of thepilot channel312 becomes small, thereby reducing a flow rate of the water discharged from theback pressure chamber308 to theoutflow channel302 via thepilot channel312 and accordingly increasing the pressure in theback pressure chamber308.
• On the other hand, when thepilot valve314 is retreated upwardly (as seen in the figure), the gap between thepilot valve314 and thepilot valve seat318 is increased whereby the opening degree of thepilot channel312 becomes large, thereby increasing the flow rate of the water discharged from theback pressure chamber308 to theoutflow channel302 via thepilot channel312 and accordingly reducing the pressure in theback pressure chamber308.
• Then, themain valve304 is advanced and retreated in upward and downward directions (as seen in the figure), following the advance/retreat of thepilot valve314, such that the pressure in theback pressure chamber308 and the pressure in theinflow channel300 are balanced with each other, whereby the opening degree of the main channel is changed.
• The rate of flow of the water from theinflow channel300 to theoutflow channel302 is regulated according to the change of the opening degree of the main channel.
• Further, in this pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device, the water is stopped by seating of themain valve304 on themain valve seat306, which is caused by seating of thepilot valve314 on thepilot valve seat318.
• Further, the water is discharged by opening of the main channel as a result of separation of themain valve304 from themain valve seat306, which is caused by opening of thepilot channel312 made by thepilot valve314, and the rate of discharge of the water is regulated by change of the opening degree of the main channel made by themain valve304.
• In the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device shown inFIG. 29, themain valve304 is advanced and retreated based on increase and reduction of the pressure in theback pressure chamber308, and the increase and reduction of the pressure in theback pressure chamber308 is controlled by the advance/retreat of thepilot valve314. This arrangement enables themain valve304 to be operated by a small force, thereby making it possible to discharge/stop the water and regulate the rate of the water flow by a light operation.
• However, in this pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device, the rate of the water flow has to be regulated each time the water discharging/stopping is carried out, so that the operation is cumbersome with a problem with respect to its operability.
• That is, where a position of thepilot valve314 has been adjusted to obtain a desired rate of the flow in the water discharging, thepilot valve314 is necessarily moved from the adjusted position if the water stopping is carried out after the adjustment of the position of thepilot valve314. This arrangement requires a cumbersome operation for readjusting the position of thepilot valve314 such that the desired rate of the flow is obtained also in the next water discharging operation.
• The present invention was developed for solving the above problems.
• Patent Document 2 identified below discloses a device in which, in addition to the pilot valve advanced and retreated to stop and discharge the water, a flow regulator mechanism is provided to regulate a rate of flow in the water discharging operation. In the device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the opening degree of the main valve is controlled directly by the flow regulator mechanism, and a heavy operation is required upon adjustment of the water flow. Thus, the device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is different from the present invention.
• [Patent Document 1] JP-H04-302790A
• [Patent Document 2] JP-2001-98596A
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention was made in view of the background prior art discussed above. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device having arrangements which enable any one of water discharging operation, water stopping operation and flow-rate regulation to be carried out by a light operation and which make it possible, after the flow-rate regulation has been once carried out to obtain a desired flow rate in water discharging operation, to discharge water by the desired flow rate in the next water discharging operation even if the water stopping is carried out after the flow-rate regulation.
• In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device having: (a) a main valve which is advanced and retreated relative to a main valve seat in directions toward and away from the main valve seat, so as to change an opening degree of a main channel; (b) a back pressure chamber which is defined on a back side of the main valve and which causes an internal pressure therein acts as a pressing force on the main valve in a valve-closing direction; (c) an introducing small hole which is to introduce a water from an inflow channel as a primary side portion of the main channel, into the back pressure chamber, so as to increase a pressure in the back pressure chamber; (d) a pilot channel which is formed through the main valve and which communicates the back pressure chamber and an outflow channel as a secondary side portion of the main channel, so as to discharge the water from the back pressure chamber, for thereby reducing the pressure in the back pressure chamber; (e) a flow regulating pilot valve which is to be advanced and retreated in advanced and retreated directions of the main valve, so as to control an opening degree of the pilot channel; and (f) a flow regulating mechanism which is to advance and retreat the flow regulating pilot valve, so as to determine a flow regulating position according to an amount of advance/retreat movement, for thereby performing flow regulating, wherein a flow rate of the water flowing through the main channel is regulated by causing the main valve to be advanced and retreated following the advance/retreat movement of the flow regulating pilot valve, the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device being characterized in that there are provided a water discharging/stopping pilot valve for opening and closing the pilot channel and a water discharging/stopping switching mechanism for advancing and retreating the water discharging/stopping pilot valve between a water stop position for closing the pilot channel and a water discharge position for opening the pilot channel, so as to switch between water discharging and stopping, and in that the flow regulating mechanism is configured to maintain the flow regulating position of the flow regulating pilot valve in a flow regulating position that is previously adjusted, when the water discharging/stopping pilot valve performs water discharging operation after performing water stopping operation by the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism.
• In a second aspect of the invention, in a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to the first aspect of the invention, the flow regulating pilot valve and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve are disposed separately from each other, and the flow regulating mechanism and the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism are configured to advance/retreat the flow regulating pilot valve and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve, respectively, independently of each other.
• In a third aspect of the invention, in a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to the first aspect of the invention, being characterized in that the flow regulating pilot valve and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve are constituted by a common pilot valve, and in that the flow regulating mechanism is configured to move the water stop position of the common pilot valve according to the adjusted flow regulating position, while the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism is configured to advance/retreat the common pilot valve between the adjusted flow regulating position as the water discharge position and the moved water stop position.
• In a fourth aspect of the invention, in a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to the third aspect of the invention, the common pilot valve is disposed in a drive rod that is expandable and contractable, and the flow regulating mechanism is configured to axially move a position of an entirety of the common pilot valve by causing the drive rod to be expanded and contracted, for thereby moving the flow regulating position and the water stop position of the common pilot valve.
• In a fifth aspect of the invention, in a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the drive rod is axially divided into two divided axial portions one of which is provided with the common pilot valve such that the two divided axial portions are held in thread-engagement with each other and the drive rod is expanded and contracted by advance/retreat movement of the one of the divided axial portions, which is caused by a screw feed as a result of rotation of the other of the divided axial portions made by a rotary operating member.
• In a sixth aspect of the invention, in a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism has a lock mechanism configured to alternately switch the water discharging/stopping pilot valve between the water discharge position and the water stop position and to hold the water discharging/stopping pilot valve in the position.
• According to the present invention, as described above, there are provided the flow regulating valve for performing the flow-rate regulation and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve for performing the water discharging operation and the water stopping operation by opening and closing the pilot channel, such that each of the water discharging/stopping pilot valve and the flow regulating pilot valve can be advanced and retreated by a corresponding one of the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism and the flow regulating mechanism, and such that the flow regulating mechanism is configured to maintain the flow regulating position of the flow regulating pilot valve in the previously adjusted flow regulating position irrespective of the water discharging operation and the water stopping operation performed by the water discharging/stopping pilot valve through the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism. The arrangement of the present invention enables any one of water discharging operation, water stopping operation and flow-rate regulation to be carried out by a light operation owing to the control of the opening degree of the pilot channel, and makes it possible, even after the water discharging and stopping operations have been performed by the water discharging/stopping pilot valve through the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism, to maintain the flow regulating position of the flow regulating pilot valve in a previously adjusted position, i.e., a flow regulating position that has been already set, upon the water discharging operation. Therefore, this arrangement facilitates the operations of the device and improves the operability of the device, without requiring the water discharge rate to be readjusted to a desired rate, which is a cumbersome operation, each time after the water discharging and stopping operations have been performed.
• In the present invention, the flow regulating pilot valve and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve may be disposed separately from each other, so that the flow regulating mechanism and the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism can advance/retreat the flow regulating pilot valve and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve, respectively, independently of each other.
• On the other hand, the flow regulating pilot valve and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve may be constituted by the common pilot valve, such that the flow regulating mechanism is configured to move the water stop position of the common pilot valve according to the adjusted flow regulating position, while the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism is configured to advance/retreat the common pilot valve between the adjusted flow regulating position and the moved water stop position.
• It is possible to cause the common pilot valve to serve as either the flow regulating pilot valve and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve, so that the construction of the device can be simplified and the device can be made compact in size owing to the simplified construction.
• In this case, a pilot valve seat having an annular shape may be provided on the side of the main valve and disposed about an axis of the main valve or an axis parallel to the axis of the main valve, so that the common pilot valve can be fitted in the pilot valve seat, axially movably relative to the pilot valve seat.
• This arrangement makes it to possible to easily move the water stop position of the common pilot valve in its axial direction.
• Further, the common pilot valve may be disposed in the drive rod that is expandable and contractable, such that the flow regulating mechanism is configured to axially move the position of the entirety of the common pilot valve by causing the drive rod to be expanded and contracted, for thereby making it possible to move the flow regulating position of the common pilot valve and the water stop position.
• This arrangement makes it possible to easily move the water stop position of the common pilot valve and also to easily move the flow regulating position in the direction of axis of the drive rod. That is, the water discharge rate can be easily regulated.
• Therefore, the construction of the device can be simplified and the device can be made compact in size owing to the simplified construction.
• In this case, the drive rod may be axially divided into two divided axial portions one of which is provided with the common pilot valve such that the two divided axial portions are held in thread-engagement with each other, so that the drive rod can be expanded and contracted by advance/retreat of the one of the divided axial portions, which are caused by the screw feed as a result of rotation of the other of the divided axial portions made by the rotary operating member.
• This arrangement permits the rotary operating member such as a handle and the drive rod to be disposed coaxially with each other, whereby the construction of the device can be made further compact in size and the drive rod can be easily expanded and contracted by a simple construction.
• Further, in the present invention, the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism may have the lock mechanism configured to alternately switch the water discharging/stopping pilot valve between the water discharge position and the water stop position and to hold the water discharging/stopping pilot valve in the position.
• This arrangement makes it possible to easily perform the water discharging and stopping operations. Further, the arrangement provides an advantage that the water discharging and stopping operations do not have to be continued since the water discharge state and the water stopping state are maintained even if the operational force is released after the water discharging and stopping operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view showing a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device as an embodiment of the present invention, together with a water tap.
• FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view showing in enlargement a detail ofFIG. 1A.
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing in enlargement a major portion ofFIG. 1A.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a major portion of the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device.
• FIG. 4A is an exploded view andFIGS. 4B-4H are exploded sectional views for explaining effects provided by a thrust lock mechanism of a water discharging/stopping switching mechanism in the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device.
• FIGS. 5A-5C are views for explaining effects upon flow-rate regulation in the embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 6A-6C are explanatory views parallel toFIGS. 5A-5C.
• FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views showing a water discharging state and a water stopping state of the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device, wherein a high rate of water flow is established in the water discharging state andFIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view showing in enlargement a detail ofFIG. 7B.
• FIGS. 8A and 8B are sectional views showing the water discharging state and the water stopping state of the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device, wherein a low rate of water flow is established in the water discharging state.
• FIG. 9 is a view showing another embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing in enlargement a major portion ofFIG. 9.
• FIG. 11A is a view showingFIG. 9 in a valve open state andFIG. 11B is a cross sectional view showing in enlargement a detail ofFIG. 11A.
• FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing a major portion of a still another embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a major portion of the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device ofFIG. 12.
• FIGS. 14A and 14B are showing a rotor in the embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a sleeve and a forced rotation ring in the embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 16A is an exploded perspective view showing construction of an O-ring receiving portion in the embodiment of the invention, as seen in a state of removal of a cap andFIG. 16B is a cross sectional view showing in enlargement a detail ofFIG. 10A.
• FIGS. 17A and 17B are views for explaining effects provided by amain valve guide172 in the embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 18A and 18B are views for explaining in the embodiment of the invention, which are different from those ofFIGS. 17A and 17B.
• FIGS. 19A,19B and19C are views for explaining in the embodiment of the invention, which are different from those ofFIGS. 17A and 17B and18A and18B.
• FIG. 20 is a graph showing a relationship between an amount of movement of the main valve and a rate of water flow.
• FIGS. 21A and 21B are sectional views showing a major portion of a still another embodiment of the invention andFIG. 21C is a cross sectional view showing in enlargement a detail ofFIG. 21B.
• FIG. 22A is an exploded perspective view showing the major portion ofFIG. 21 andFIG. 22B is a cross sectional view showing in enlargement a detail ofFIG. 22A.
• FIG. 23A is an exploded perspective view for explaining a state in which components are assembled in the embodiment of the invention andFIGS. 23B and 23C are cross sectional views showing in enlargement details ofFIG. 23A.
• FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a state in which components different from those ofFIG. 23 are assembled andFIGS. 24B and 24C are cross sectional views showing details ofFIG. 24.
• FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view for explaining a state in which components different from those ofFIGS. 23A-23C and24 are assembled.
• FIGS. 26A-26E are views for explaining effects in the embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 27A and 27B are view showing a major portion of a still another embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 28A and 28B are views showing a transmitting member in the embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 29 is a view for a conventional pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• There will be described in detail an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.
• InFIGS. 1A and 1B,reference sign10 denotes a pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device, whilereference sign12 denotes a water tap incorporating therein the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulatingvalve device10.
• Reference sign14 denotes a discharge tube having, in its distal end, a discharge port through which water is discharged.
• Reference signs16 and18 respectively denote an inflow channel and an outflow channel as primary and secondary side portions of a main channel in the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulatingvalve device10, i.e., a main channel in thewater tap12.Reference sign20 denotes a main valve which is provided by a diaphragm valve and which is disposed on the main channel.
• Themain valve20 consists of amain valve body22 made of a hard material and adiaphragm24 made of a rubber and held by themain valve body22.
• Thismain valve20 is advanced and retreated relative to amain valve seat25 in a vertical direction (as seen in the figure) so as to open/close the main channel and change an opening degree of the main channel.
• Described in detail, the main channel is closed by seating of themain valve20 on themain valve seat25, and is open by separation of themain valve20 from themain valve seat25 in an upward direction (as seen in the figure).
• Further, the opening degree of the main channel is increased/reduced depending on an amount of separation of themain valve20 from themain valve seat25, so as to regulate a rate of water flowing through the main channel, i.e., a rate of water discharged through the discharge port of thedischarge tube14.
• Aback pressure chamber26 is defined on a backside of themain valve20, i.e., on an upper side of the main valve20 (as seen in the figure).
• An internal pressure in theback pressure chamber26 acts as a pressing force that is applied to themain valve20 in a valve-closing direction, i.e., a downward direction (as seen in the figure).
• Themain valve20 has an introducingsmall hole28 formed therethrough such that the inflow channel16 (as the primary side portion of the main channel) and theback pressure chamber26 are in communication with each other via the introducingsmall hole28.
• This introducingsmall hole28 introduces the water coming from theinflow channel16, into theback pressure chamber26, so as to increase the pressure in theback pressure chamber26.
• Themain valve20 has also apilot channel30 formed therethrough so as to serve as a discharge channel such that that theback pressure chamber26 and the outflow channel18 (as the secondary side portion of the main channel) are in communication with each other via thepilot channel30.
• Thispilot channel30 discharges the water from theback pressure chamber26 to theoutflow channel18, so as to reduce the pressure in theback pressure chamber26.
• As shown inFIG. 2, themain valve20 has a through-hole32 located in its central portion and extending in an axial direction. The through-hole32 receives therein apilot valve34 serving commonly as a water discharging/stopping pilot valve and a flow regulating valve. Thepilot channel30 is defined between an outer circumferential surface of thepilot valve34 and an inner circumferential surface of the through-hole32, so as to have an annular shape with a small channel width.
• Themain valve20 is integrally provided with apilot valve seat36 that has an annular shape extending around an axis of themain valve20 along the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole32.
• Reference sign38 denotes a seal portion of thispilot valve seat36, and holds an elastic seal ring in the form of anO ring40 having an annular shape and received in an annular groove.
• Thepilot valve34 is fitted with thepilot valve seat36, such that thepilot valve34 can be advanced and retreated along the axis of themain valve20 relative to themain valve seat36 in a vertical direction (as seen in the figure).
• Described in detail, thepilot valve34 has a circular cross sectional shape, and includes aseal portion42 having a constant outside diameter as viewed in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure), i.e., advanced and retreated directions and an annular recessedportion44 located on a lower side of the seal portion42 (as seen in the figure).
• Each of axially opposite end portions of the annular recessedportion44 is provided by a taperedsurface46 whose diameter is gradually reduced toward a minimum diameter portion of the recessedportion44. The taperedsurface46 has a large-diameter side end portion that is provided by a corresponding one of steppedportions48,50 extending diametrically outwardly.
• FIG. 2 shows a state in which thepilot valve34 is placed in its water stop position. In this state, thepilot valve34 is held in elastic contact at an entire circumference of itsseal portion42, with thepilot valve seat36 via theO ring40 in a diametrical direction, for thereby fluid-tightly sealing between thepilot valve34 and thepilot valve seat36.
• Further, in this state, themain valve20 is seated on themain valve seat25 so that the main channel is held in a closed state.
• FIGS. 5A-5C and6A-6C show effects during flow-rate regulation performed by movement of thepilot valve34.
• In this embodiment, during the flow-rate regulation, thepilot valve34 does not close thepilot channel30, but changes the opening degree of thepilot channel30 by its movement.
• To this end, an amount of rotating operation of a handle58 (described below) is limited.
• In this embodiment, when thepilot valve34 is retreated upwardly (as seen in the figure), as shown inFIG. 5A, a gap between thepilot valve34 and thepilot valve seat36 becomes large, so that the water within theback pressure chamber26 is discharged by a high rate toward theoutflow channel18 via thepilot channel30 whereby the pressure in theback pressure chamber26 is reduced.
• In this instance, owing to pressure difference between theback pressure chamber26 and theinflow channel16, themain valve20 is retreated upwardly (as seen in the figure), and then stopped in a position that causes the pressure in theinflow channel16 and the pressure in theback pressure chamber26 to be balanced with each other, as shown inFIG. 5B.
• As a result of the retreat movement of themain valve20, a gap between themain valve20 and themain valve seat25 is made large, thereby increasing the flow rate of the water flowing from theinflow channel16 to theoutflow channel18.
• When thepilot valve34 is retreated further upwardly (as seen in the figure), themain valve20 is retreated following the retreat movement of thepilot valve34 so as to cause the pressure in theinflow channel16 and the pressure in theback pressure chamber26 to be balanced with each other, thereby further increasing the opening degree of the main channel and accordingly increasing the flow rate of the water flowing through the main channel (seeFIG. 5C).
• On the other hand, when thepilot valve34 is advanced downwardly (as seen in the figure), as shown inFIG. 6A, the gap between thepilot valve34 and the pilot valve seat36 (described more in detail, the gap between theseal portion42 of thepilot valve34 and theO ring40 held by the pilot valve seat36) becomes small, namely, the opening degree of thepilot channel30 become small, so that the flow rate of the water discharge from theback pressure chamber26 toward theoutflow channel18 is reduced whereby the pressure in theback pressure chamber26 is increased.
• By the increased pressure in theback pressure chamber26, themain valve20 is advanced downwardly (as seen in the figure) and is stopped in a position causing the pressure in theback pressure chamber26 and the pressure in theinflow channel16 to be balanced with each other.
• In this instance, the gap between themain valve20 and themain valve seat25 becomes small, namely, the opening degree of the main channel becomes small, thereby reducing the flow rate of the water flowing through the main channel (seeFIG. 6B).
• When thepilot valve34 is advanced downwardly (as seen in the figure) further from this state, the opening degree of the main channel becomes more small, thereby further reducing the flow rate of the water flowing through the main channel (seeFIG. 6C).
• InFIG. 1,reference sign52 denotes a housing incorporated in the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulatingvalve device10. Thehousing52 incorporates a back-pressurechamber defining member54 that is built therein.
• This back-pressurechamber defining member54 has an inverted cup-like shape, and defines theback pressure chamber26 therein.
• This back-pressurechamber defining member54 serves also as a main valve presser.
• On an upper side of thehousing52, a holdingmember56 is fixedly disposed to hold the below-describedhandle58 that is of a pushbutton type.
• It can be considered that this holdingmember56 is also a part of thehousing52.
• InFIGS. 1A and 1B,reference sign60 denotes a drive rod. Thisdrive rod60 is axially divided into two portions, i.e., a firstaxial portion62 and a secondaxial portion64. The firstaxial portion62 as a control rod portion has a constant circular cross section and a constant outside diameter, and extends in the axial direction. The secondaxial portion64 has a tubular shape.
• The above-describedpilot valve34 is provided by a distal end portion of the firstaxial portion62 serving as the control rod portion.
• The tubular secondaxial portion64 is provided with aninternal thread66 formed in its inner circumferential surface, as shown inFIG. 3.
• Meanwhile, the firstaxial portion62 has, in its upper end portion, a protrudingportion68 that protrudes radially. The protrudingportion68 has an outer circumferential surface that is provided with anexternal thread70.
• Theexternal thread70 of the firstaxial portion62 is held in thread engagement with theinternal thread66 of the secondaxial portion64.
• In thedrive rod60, the firstaxial portion62 is advanced and retreated in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure) by a screw-feed effect provided by theinternal thread66 and theexternal thread70.
• That is, thedrive rod60 as a whole is expanded and contracted, owing to a screw feed provided by theinternal thread66 and theexternal thread70.
• The protrudingportion68 of the firstaxial portion62 is formed with engagingsurfaces72 that are provided by flat surfaces parallel to each other. The engaging surfaces72 are gripped by a pair ofgripping pieces74 of arotation preventing member76, so that rotation of the firstaxial portion62 is prevented by gripping effect of thegripping pieces74.
• That is, owing to the rotation preventing effect provided by therotation preventing member76, the firstaxial portion62 is advanced and retreated in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure) by rotation of thesecond rod portion64.
• As a result of the advance/retreat of the firstaxial portion62 in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure), thepilot valve34 integrally provided by the distal end portion of the firstaxial portion62 is advanced and retreated in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure), whereby the position of thepilot valve34 is displaced in the same direction.
• As shown inFIG. 2, anO ring77 is provided to fluid-tightly seal between the firstaxial portion62 and theback pressure chamber26.
• Further, as shown inFIG. 3, therotation preventing member76 has a circular-shapedbase portion78 fixed to the back-pressurechamber defining member54 that is located on a lower side of thebase portion78.
• Thehandle58 is a member that can be operatively pressed downwardly (as seen in the figure) and rotated. A flow regulating mechanism and a water discharging/stopping switching mechanism are incorporated between thehandle58 and thedrive rod60, more specifically, between thehandle58 and the secondaxial portion64. The flow regulating mechanism is arranged to expand and contract thedrive rod60 by the screw feed that is caused based on an amount of the rotating operation of thehandle58, so as to advance/retreat thepilot valve34 in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure), for thereby changing position of thepilot valve34. The water discharging/stopping switching mechanism is arranged to vertically advance/retreat thedrive rod60, i.e., thepilot valve34 provided by the distal end portion of thedrive rod60 within a certain stroke distance, so as to move thepilot valve34 between the water discharge portion as an elevated position and the water stop position as a lowered position, and so as to hold thepilot valve34 in the water discharge position and the water stop position.
• The water discharging/stopping switching mechanism is provided with a thrust lock mechanism for switching thepilot valve34 between the water discharge position and the water stop position and for holding thepilot valve34 in the discharge and stop positions.
• FIG. 3 shows specific constructions of the flow regulating mechanism and the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism.
• In this figure,reference sign80 denotes a tubular-shaped drive ring,reference sign82 denotes a sleeve that holds thedrive ring80 located on an inner side thereof, andreference sign84 denotes a tubular-shaped rotor that is rotated by thedrive ring80.
• Thedrive ring80 has an outwardly extending flange portion located in its upper end portion (as seen in the figure), and engagingprotrusion portions86 located in respective parts of the flange portion and protruding outwardly in the radial direction. The engagingprotrusion portions86 are engaged with respective engaging recessedportions88 provided inside the inverted cup-like shaped handle58 that is provided by a tubular-shaped member having a bottom wall. By the effect of the engagement of the engagingprotrusion portions86 and the engaging recessedportions88, thedrive ring80 is rotatable integrally with thehandle58.
• Thehandle58 has, in its top surface, anindicator window90 for indicating the water discharging state or water stopping state.
• Further, thehandle58 has, in its lower end portion, aprotrusion92 for preventing removal of thehandle58.
• As shown inFIGS. 1A-1C and2, the removal-preventingprotrusion92 is to be engaged with an inwardly extending flange portion that is provided by an upper end portion of the holdingmember56, so as to prevent removal of thehandle58.
• Aprotrusions94 is provided on an outer circumferential surface of thedrive ring80, so as to be fitted in arecess96 provided in an inner circumferential surface of thesleeve82, whereby thedrive ring80 is positioned relative to thesleeve82 in a rotating direction.
• On the outer circumferential surface of thedrive ring80, arecess98 is provided in a position that is circumferentially different from a position of theprotrusion94. Thisrecess98 is to be engaged at its bottom portion with aclaw97 which is provided on an upper end portion of thesleeve82 and which inwardly protrudes, whereby thedrive ring80 is prevented from being removed from thesleeve82 in the upward direction (as seen in the figure).
• Further, thedrive ring80 has, in its lower end portion, a corrugated-shapedengaging teeth99 that are arranged in a circumferential direction.
• The engagingteeth99 have lower surfaces that providecam surfaces100 for causing therotor84 to be rotated by a cam effect as a result of vertical movement of thedrive ring80.
• The above-describedsleeve82 has an outwardly-extendingflange portion102 in its lower end portion, so that thesleeve82 is prevented by theflange portion102, from being removed upwardly (as seen in the figure) from thehousing52, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.
• As shown inFIG. 4A, aguide portion104 is provided in an upper portion of an inner circumferential surface of thesleeve82, so as to protrude inwardly.
• Theguide portion104 has engagingteeth106 in its lower portion.
• The engagingteeth106 have lower surfaces that providecam surfaces108 for causing therotor84 to be rotated by a cam effect.
• In theguide portion104, there are formedfitting grooves109, which are arranged at a predetermined spacing interval in a circumferential direction and which extend in a vertical direction.
• As shown inFIG. 3, a plurality offitting grooves110 are provided in thesleeve82, such that thefitting grooves110 are arranged at a predetermined at a predetermined spacing interval in a circumferential direction and which extend vertically (as seen in the figure).
• Therotor84 has an outwardly-extendingflange portion114 in its lower end portion. A plurality of protrudingportions112 are provided in theflange portion114, so as to be circumferentially arranged.
• Engagingteeth115 are provide by an upper portion of theflange portion114 including the protrudingportions112.
• The engagingteeth115 have lower surfaces that providecam surfaces116 for causing therotor84 to be rotated by a cam effect as a result of vertical movement of thedrive ring80.
• On an upper surface of therotor84, there is provided anindicator portion118 for indicating the water discharging state and water stopping state.
• Theindicator118 consists of anindication118A indicating the water discharging state and anindication118B indicating the water stopping state.
• Theindication118A orindication118B of theindicator portion118 is positioned in theindicator window90 that is provided in the upper surface of thehandle58, so as to indicate the water discharging state or water stopping state.
• Therotor84 is allowed to be elevated to an elevated position when the protrudingportions112 are fitted in thefitting grooves109 formed in the above-describedguide portion104, and is inhibited from being elevated when the protrudingportions112 are offset from thefitting grooves109 in the rotating direction.
• As shown inFIG. 3, the secondaxial portion64 of the above-describeddrive rod60 has alarge diameter portion120 in its lower end portion. As shown inFIG. 2, thelarge diameter portion120 has an upper surface in the form of a stepped surface that is in contact with a lower surface of therotor84.
• Aspring122 is accommodated at its upper portion inside thelarge diameter portion120, so that a biasing force of thespring122 is applied to the secondaxial portion64 in the upward direction.
• As shown inFIG. 3, a plurality offitting protrusions124 are provided on an outer circumferential surface of thelarge diameter portion120, so as to be arranged at a predetermined spacing interval in the circumferential direction.
• Thefitting protrusions124 are fitted in the respectivefitting grooves110 of thesleeve82, so that the secondaxial portion64 is positioned relative to thesleeve82 in the rotating direction.
• That is, the secondaxial portion64 is connected to thehandle58 via thesleeve82 and thedrive ring80, so as to be rotatable integrally with thehandle58.
• In the present embodiment, when thehandle58 is operatively rotated, the rotary motion of thehandle58 is transmitted to the secondaxial portion64 via thedrive ring80 and thesleeve82, whereby the secondaxial portion64 is rotated.
• The rotation of the secondaxial portion64 causes thedrive rod60 to be expanded and contracted, owing to the screw-feed effect provided by theinternal thread66 of the secondaxial portion64 and theexternal thread70 of the firstaxial portion62, whereby the firstaxial portion62 is advanced and retreated in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure).
• That is, thepilot valve34 integrally provided by the end portion of the firstaxial portion62 is advanced and retreated by a distance corresponding to an amount of rotation of thehandle58, so that the position of thepilot valve34 is shifted in the vertical direction.
• On the other hand, each time when thehandle58 is operatively pressed in the downward direction, thedrive rod60 is elevated and lowered, i.e., advanced and retreated in the axial direction by a constant stroke distance, while keeping its expanded/contracted state constant.
• Thepilot channel30 is open when thedrive rod60 is positioned in its elevated position, and is closed when thedrive rod60 is positioned in its lowered position.
• That is, the elevated position corresponds to the water discharge position of thepilot valve34, while the lowered position corresponds to the water stop position of thepilot valve34.
• FIGS. 4B-4H show effects of a thrust lock mechanism employed in the present embodiment, by which thepilot valve34 is switched between the water discharge position and the water stop position each time when thehandle58 is operatively pressed, and is held in the water discharge position and the water stop position.
• FIG. 4(B) shows a state in which thepilot valve34 is positioned in the lowered position, i.e., in the water stop position.
• In this instance, the protrudingportions112 of therotor84 are positioned in respective positions that are not aligned with the respectivefitting grooves109 of theguide portion104 in the rotating direction, while the engagingteeth115 of therotor84 are held in engagement with the respectiveengaging teeth106 of theguide portion104.
• When thehandle58 is operatively pressed in the downward direction in this state, thedrive ring80 and therotor84 together with the secondaxial portion64 are moved downwardly, and the engagement of the engagingteeth115 of therotator84 with the engagingteeth106 of theguide portion104 are released, as shown inFIG. 4C.
• Concurrently with the engagement of theengagement teeth115 with theengagement teeth106, therotor84 is rotated by a certain small angle in a direction indicated by arrow inFIG. 4D, owing to the effect provided by the cam surfaces116 formed in therotor84 per se and the cam surfaces100 of thedrive ring80.
• Then, when a pressing force applied to operatively press thehandle58 is released, therotor84 and thedrive ring80 together with thehandle58 and the secondaxial portion64 are moved upwardly by a small distance owing to the biasing force of thespring122. Upon contact of the engagingteeth115 provided in the protrudingportions112 of therotator84 with the engagingteeth106 of theguide portion104, therotor84 is further rotated in the same direction, owing to the cam effect provided by the cam surfaces116,108, and the protrudingportions112 come to be fitted into the respectivefitting grooves109 of theguide portion104, as shown inFIG. 4E.
• Upon fitting of theprotrusion portions112 into the respectivefitting grooves109, therotor84 together with the secondaxial portion64,drive ring80 and handle58 is elevated to the elevated position, owing to the biasing force of thespring122.
• In this instance, while keeping a constant contracted state, thedrive rod60 in its entirety is upwardly elevated, thereby retreating the pilot valve34 (that is integrally provided by the distal end portion of the first axial portion62) to the elevated position, i.e., to the water discharge position.
• Thus, themain valve20 is placed in the open state, thereby causing flow of the water through the main channel.
• Next, when thehandle58 is operatively pressed again in the downward direction, as shown inFIG. 4F, thedrive ring80 and therotor84 together with the secondaxial portion64 are moved in the downward direction.
• Then, when theprotrusion portions112 of therotor84 are downwardly separated from the respectivefitting grooves109 of theguide portion104, therotor84 is rotated again in the direction indicated by arrow inFIG. 4G, by the cam effect provided by the cam surfaces100 of thedrive ring80 and the cam surfaces116 of therotor84.
• Then, upon release of the operation force applied to thehandle58 in this state, thehandle58, drivingring80 androtor84 together with the secondaxial portion64 are moved upwardly owing to the biasing force of thespring122, and the engagingteeth115 of therotor84 are brought into contact with the engagingteeth106 of theguide portion104 in a certain position, whereby therotor84 is rotated again by a certain small angle owing to the effect of the cam surfaces116,108. Thus, with the engagingteeth115 of therotor84 being engaged with the engagingteeth106 of theguide portion104, therotor84,drive ring80 and handle58 are held in respective pressed positions, i.e., lowered positions, as shown inFIG. 4H.
• That is, thepilot valve34 is held in the lowered position corresponding to the water stop position.
• As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, thedrive ring80,sleeve82, first and secondaxial portions62,64 (cooperating with each other to constitute the drive rod60) and external andinternal threads70,66 (provided in the respective first and secondaxial portions62,64) cooperate with one another to constitute a flow regulating mechanism for advancing and retreating thepilot valve34 in response to rotational operation applied to thehandle58 and according to an amount of the rotational operation. Further, thedrive ring80,sleeve82 androtor84 cooperate with the entirety of thedrive rod60 to constitute a water discharging/stopping switching mechanism for switching thepilot valve34 between the water discharge position and the water stop position in response to pressing operation applied to thehandle58.
• In the present embodiment, thepilot valve34 is advanced and retreated through the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism each time when thehandle58 is operatively pressed. However, the water can be discharged by a desired flow rate that is regulated in the last water discharging operation.
• That is, thepilot valve34 is held in the previously adjusted flow regulating position as the water discharge position, so that the water can be discharged by a desired and appropriate flow rate corresponding to the previously adjusted flow regulating position.
• This can be realized owing to the arrangement enabling the water stop position of thepilot valve34 to be moved according to the previously adjusted flow regulating position.
• FIGS. 7B and 7C show a state in which the flow regulating position of thepilot valve34 is set such that the water is discharged by a high flow rate.
• In this state, thepilot valve34 is retreated by a large distance in the upward direction (as seen in the figure), and themain valve20 is also retreated by a large distance in the upward direction (as seen in the figure) in response to the large retreat of thepilot valve34, so that a large gap S is formed between themain valve20 and themain valve seat25 whereby the main channel is largely open.
• In this state, when thehandle58 is operatively pressed, thepilot valve34 is advanced by a certain stroke distance L, whereby thepilot channel30 is brought into a closed state, as shown inFIG. 7A.
• That is, themain valve20 is seated on themain valve seat25, so as to bring the main channel into the closed state.
• In this instance, thepilot valve34 is brought into contact, at a portion of theseal portion42 that is close to the steppedportion48, with theO ring40 of thepilot valve seat36.
• On the other hand,FIG. 8B shows a state in which thepilot valve34 is advanced to a position that is lower (as seen in the figure) than the position shown inFIGS. 7B and 7C, namely, is advanced to a position closer to themain valve seat25, whereby the opening degree of themain valve20 is reduced so that the water is discharged by a low flow rate.
• In this state, when thehandle58 is operatively pressed, thepilot valve34 is advanced by a certain stroke distance L, as in the state ofFIG. 7A, whereby thepilot channel30 is brought into the closed state.
• In this instance, thepilot valve34 is brought into elastic contact, at a portion of theseal portion42 that is largely distant in the upward direction (as seen in the figure) from the portion shown inFIG. 7A, with theO ring40 of thepilot valve seat36, so that thepilot channel30 is brought into the closed state.
• That is, the water stop position of thepilot valve34 is moved according to the change of the flow regulating position of thepilot valve34 from the state ofFIGS. 7B and 7C to the state ofFIG. 8B.
• Therefore, when thepilot valve34 is moved from the water stopping state shown inFIGS. 7A and 8A to the water discharge position, with the pressing operation applied to thehandle58, namely, when the water discharging state is established again, the position of thepilot valve34 is positioned in the position shown inFIGS. 7B and 7C and8B. That is, the flow regulating position of thepilot valve34 is maintained in the previously adjusted flow regulating position upon the water discharging, so that the water is caused to flow toward the main channel by the previously regulated flow rate whereby the water can be discharged from the discharge port by the desired flow rate that is previously regulated.
• As described above, the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulatingvalve device10 of the present embodiment enables any one of water discharging operation, water stopping operation and flow-rate regulation to be carried out by a light operation owing to the control of the opening degree of the pilot channel, and makes it possible, even after the water discharging and stopping operations have been performed by thepilot valve34 through the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism, to maintain the flow regulating position of thepilot valve34 in a previously adjusted position, i.e., a flow regulating position that has been already set, upon the water discharging operation. Therefore, this arrangement facilitates the operations of the device and improves the operability of the device, without requiring the water discharge rate to be readjusted to a desired rate, which is a cumbersome operation, each time after the water discharging and stopping operations have been performed.
• In the present embodiment, the flow regulating pilot valve and the water discharging/stopping pilot valve are constituted by thecommon pilot valve34, such that the flow regulating mechanism is configured to move the water stop position of thecommon pilot valve34 according to the adjusted flow regulating position, while the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism is configured to advance/retreat thecommon pilot valve34 between the adjusted flow regulating position and the moved water stop position, so that the construction of the device can be simplified and the device can be made compact in size owing to the simplified construction.
• Further, in the present embodiment, apilot valve seat36 having an annular shape is disposed about the axis of themain valve20, so that thepilot valve34 can be fitted in thepilot valve seat36, axially movably relative to thepilot valve seat36. This arrangement makes it to possible to easily move the water stop position of thepilot valve34 in its axial direction.
• Further, in the present embodiment, thepilot valve34 is disposed in thedrive rod60 that is expandable and contractable, and the position of the entirety of thepilot valve34 is axially moved by the screw-feed effect provided by theexternal thread70 andinternal thread66 of the first and secondaxial portions62,64 of thedrive rod60, so that the water stop position of thepilot valve34 can easily moved and the flow regulating position of thepilot valve34 can be easily moved in the direction of the axis of thedrive rod60.
• Therefore, the construction of the pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulatingvalve device10 can be simplified and the device can be made compact in size owing to the simplified construction. Further, thehandle58 and thedrive rod60 can be disposed coaxially with each other.
• Further, in the present embodiment, the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism has the thrust lock mechanism configured to alternately switch thepilot valve34 between the water discharge position and the water stop position and to hold thepilot valve34 in the position. This arrangement makes it possible to easily perform the water discharging and stopping operations. Further, the arrangement provides an advantage that the water discharging and stopping operations do not have to be continued since the water discharge state and the water stopping state are maintained even if the operational force is released after the water discharging and stopping operations.
• FIGS. 9-11B show another embodiment of the present invention.
• As shown inFIG. 9, in this embodiment, a flow regulatingpilot valve126 and a water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 are disposed separately from each other, and arotary handle130 and apushbutton132 are disposed separately from each other for the flow-rate regulation and the water discharging/stopping, respectively.
• The flow regulatingpilot valve126 is integrally provided by a distal end portion of asleeve134.
• Thesleeve134 has alarge diameter portion136 in its upper portion (as seen in the figure).
• Anexternal thread138 is provided on an outer circumferential surface of thelarge diameter portion136, and is held in thread-engagement with aninternal thread140 provided on an inner circumferential surface of therotary handle130.
• It is noted that thesleeve134 has a hexagonal shape as shown inFIG. 10B, and is fitted at its outer circumferential surface with a hexagonal-shaped inner circumferential surface of thehousing52, so to be unrotatable.
• In this embodiment, with a rotary operation applied to therotary handle130, the flow regulatingpilot valve126 is advanced/retreated in a vertical direction (as seen in the figure), thereby increase/reduce a gap between the flow regulatingpilot valve126 and apilot valve seat131 that is provided by anupper surface142 of themain valve20, so as to control a flow rate of the water discharged from theback pressure chamber26 toward theoutflow channel18, namely, so as to control the opening degree of thepilot channel30.
• It is noted that therotary handle130 is fixed in the vertical direction.
• On the other hand, the water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 is integrally provided by a distal end portion of adrive rod144.
• In this example, the water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 is provided with aseal member129, which is fluid-tightly seated on and separated from thepilot valve seat131 provided in themain valve20, whereby thepilot channel30 is closed and open.
• Thedrive rod144 is divided into a loweraxial portion146 and an upperaxial portion148, which are elastically forced by aspring150 in vertically opposite directions.
• It is noted that the loweraxial portion146 is prevented from being removed downwardly from the upperaxial portion148 while the upperaxial portion148 receives the elastic force applied from thespring150 and acting in the upward direction.
• Achamber154 is defined around an upper portion of the loweraxial portion146, while anotherchamber154 is defined inside a portion interconnecting the loweraxial portion146 and the upperaxial portion148. Thechambers154,156 are held in communication with theback pressure chamber26.
• Thechambers154,156 are held in communication with each other via acommunication hole158.
• In thedrive rod144, more in detail, between the upperaxial portion148 and thepushbutton132, there are provided thedrive ring80,rotor84 andsleeve82 that have substantially the same constructions as described above. There is further provided a thrust lock mechanism that is configured to alternately switch the water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 between the water discharge position and the water stop position each time when thepushbutton132 is operatively pressed, and to hold the water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 in the position.
• However, in this embodiment, thepushbutton132 is not operatively rotated, so that the thrust lock mechanism does not have a function of integrally rotating the upperaxial portion148 by rotation of thepushbutton132.
• In this example, each time when thepushbutton132 is operatively pressed, the water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 is advanced/retreated between the water stop position shown inFIGS. 9 and 10A,10B and the water discharge position shown inFIGS. 11A,11B. Further, owing to the function of the thrust lock mechanism, the water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 is held in a selected one of the water discharge position and water stop position.
• In the water discharge state shown inFIGS. 11A,11B, when therotary handle130 is operatively rotated, the flow regulatingpilot valve126 is advanced/retreated in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure), and the position of the flow regulatingpilot valve126 is changed according to the amount of the rotary operation applied to therotary handle130, whereby the opening degree of thepilot channel30 is changed.
• Themain valve20 is advanced/retreated following the advance/retreat of the flow regulatingpilot valve126 such that the pressure in theback pressure chamber26 and the pressure in theinflow channel16 are balanced with each other, whereby the opening degree of the main channel is changed so as to regulate the flow rate of the water flowing through the main channel.
• The effect in this instance is basically the same as described above.
• In this embodiment, too, there is provided a stopper (not shown) for limiting the amount of the rotary operation applied to therotary handle130, so that thepilot channel30 is not completely closed even when the flow regulatingpilot valve126 is positioned in the most advanced position.
• In the present embodiment, the flow regulatingpilot valve126 and the water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 are disposed separately from each other, and are advanced/retreated by the flow-rate regulationrotary handle130 and the water discharging/stoppingpushbutton132, respectively, independently of each other, so that it is possible, even after the water discharging and stopping operations have been performed by the water discharging/stoppingpilot valve128 through thepushbutton132, to maintain the flow regulating position of the flow regulatingpilot valve126 in a previously adjusted position, i.e., a flow regulating position that has been already set, upon the water discharging operation. Therefore, this arrangement facilitates the operations of the device and improves the operability of the device, without requiring the water discharge rate to be readjusted to a desired rate, which is a cumbersome operation, each time after the water discharging and stopping operations have been performed.
• FIGS. 12-20 show another embodiment of the present invention.
• InFIG. 12,reference sign160 denotes a drive ring, which has an inverted cup-like shape and is provided by a tubular-shaped member having a bottom wall in the present embodiment.
• Thisdrive ring160 has a function that is basically the same as that of thedrive ring80 of the first embodiment.
• That is, each time when thedrive ring160 is pressed downwardly, a ring-like shapedrotor170 described below is fed in the rotating direction, whereby thepilot valve34 is moved between the water discharge position and the water stop position in response to the intermittent feed motion of therotator170 and is held in one of the positions.
• In this embodiment, thedrive ring160 having the inverted cup-like shape is fitted in thesleeve82, and is movable relative to thesleeve82 in the axial direction, i.e., in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure).
• As shown inFIG. 13, vertically extendingprotrusions174 are provided on an outer circumferential surface of thedrive ring160 so as to be located in respective circumferential portions, Theprotrusions174 are fitted in respective vertically extendingrecesses176 provided in an inner circumferential surface of thesleeve82, whereby thedrive ring160 is rotated integrally with rotation of thesleeve82.
• That is, the rotary motion of thesleeve82 is transmitted to thedrive ring160.
• Thedrive ring160 is further provided with vertically extendingrecesses178 that are formed in an inner circumferential surface of thedrive ring160. Therecesses178 receive respective vertically extendingprotrusions180 that are provided on an outer circumferential surface of the secondaxial portion64 of thedrive rod60. Thus, theprotrusions180 are fitted in therespective recesses178 whereby the secondaxial portion64 as an internally-threaded portion is rotated integrally with thedrive ring160.
• That is, with rotation of thesleeve82, the rotary motion of thesleeve82 is transmitted to thedrive ring160 and the secondaxial portion64 as the internally-threaded portion, so that they are rotated integrally with each other.
• It is noted that guideprotrusions222 are provided on an outer circumferential surface of thedrive ring160. The guide protrusions222 are fitted in the respectivefitting grooves109 of thesleeve82, so as to guide thedrive ring160 that is slid in the vertical direction.
• In the present embodiment, a valve mechanism as a whole including thedrive ring160 andsleeve82 is provided by a cartridge as a single unit that is detachably attached. InFIG. 12,reference sign162 denotes the cartridge.
• InFIG. 12,reference sign164 denotes a cartridge casing of thecartridge162. Thiscartridge casing164 is divided into an upper portion164-1 and a lower portion164-2 that are elastically connected via the back-pressurechamber defining member54 that constitutes an intermediate portion of the cartridge.
• Thecartridge162 is inserted inside thehousing166 and is unremovably fixed by afixture nut168 that is screwed on thehousing166.
• In this embodiment, themain valve body22 of themain valve20, which is provided by a diaphragm valve, is formed integrally with amain valve guide172. Thismain valve guide172 is fitted inside atubular portion171 that has themain valve seat25 in its upper end portion. Themain valve guide172 serves to guide the movement of themain valve20.
• Themain valve guide172 is disk-like shaped and has a predetermined thickness in the axial direction, i.e., in the vertical direction. A predetermined annular gap is defined between an inner circumferential surface of thetubular portion171 and an outer circumferential surface of themain valve guide172 that is fitted in thetubular portion171.
• Thismain valve guide172 serve as a restrictor against the water that passes over themain valve seat25 so as to flow toward a downstream side portion (secondary side portion) of the main channel.
• Described in detail, in a state in which themain valve20 is largely distant from themain valve seat25 in the upward direction, the flow rate of the water flowing to theoutflow channel18 as the secondary side portion of the main channel from theinflow channel16 as the primary side portion of the main channel is determined depending on an amount of separation of themain valve20 from themain valve seat25. However, when the gap between themain valve guide172 and themain valve seat25 is reduced as themain valve20 is moved in the valve closing direction, the gap between themain valve guide172 and themain valve seat25 gradually comes to serve to restrict the water flowing rate. Then, when themain valve20 is further moved in the valve closing direction, i.e., in the downward direction (as seen in the figure) thereby causing themain valve guide172 is fitted inside thetubular portion172 even by a small amount, the opening degree of the main channel is determined depending on a small annular gap between themain valve guide172 and thetubular portion171.
• This small annular gap is not changed by further movement of themain valve20 in the valve closing direction, and is held constant until themain valve20 is seated on themain valve seat25.
• Consequently, the flow rate of the water flowing through the main channel, i.e., from theinflow channel16 as the primary side portion of the main channel to theoutflow channel18 as the secondary side portion of the main channel is held substantially constant and small.
• FIG. 20 is a graph showing an effect provided by themain valve guide172 serving as the restrictor, by a relationship between an amount of movement of themain valve20, namely, an amount of movement of the firstaxial portion62 of the drive rod60 (i.e., amount of movement of the pilot valve34) and a rate of the water flow, wherein the movement amount is represented in the abscissa while the flow rate is represented in the ordinate.
• In a discharge curve A shown in the figure, there is a portion A-1 that lies horizontally with its inclination being small. The portion A-1 is a portion representing a change of the flow rate upon fitting of themain valve guide172 into thetubular portion171. As shown in the figure, the provision of themain valve guide172 makes it possible to minimize the change of the flow rate immediately before closing of themain valve20 or at an initial stage of opening of themain valve20.
• Consequently, where a minimum flow-rate position of a flow-rate regulating handle described below is set, even if there is variation in various components located between the flow-rate regulating handle and thepilot valve34 or a variation in assembly of the components, it is possible to eliminate inconvenience that the flow rate at the initial stage of the valve opening is considerably influenced by the variation.
• InFIG. 20, B indicated by broken line represents a discharge characteristic curve in an arrangement in which themain valve guide172 is not provided. As shown in the figure, in the arrangement without themain valve guide172, the flow rate is largely changed immediately when the firstaxial portion62 is moved from the valve closed state even by a small distance.
• It is noted that themain valve guide172 is provided also in the first embodiment in which themain valve guide172 is denoted by the same reference sign.
• The valve device in this embodiment has a feature that the flow rate is little changed and stabilized when themain valve20 is close to the valve closing position and also a feature that the flow-rate characteristic is stabilized over a long term with small aged deterioration by a long-term service.
• Described specifically, in the valve device shown inFIG. 29 in which themain valve304 is closed following closing of thepilot valve314 that is made by pressing thepilot valve314 against thepilot valve seat318 of themain valve304, a portion of thepilot valve314 brought into contact with thepilot valve seat318 is gradually fatigued (permanently distorted or permanently deformed) or worn, and a recess is formed in the contact portion of thepilot valve314, i.e., a lower surface of the pilot valve314 (as seen in the figure). Further, the recess becomes larger gradually.
• Consequently, there is a problem that the regulated flow rate is changed even where the movement of thepilot valve314 is constant.
• On the other hand, in the present embodiment, thedrive rod60, i.e., the firstaxial portion62 extends through themain valve20 the axial direction, so that thepilot valve34 is moved in the axial direction. In this arrangement, thepilot valve34 is held in elastic contact with thepilot valve seat38 of themain valve20, i.e., theO ring40 held in thepilot valve seat38, in the radial direction. This arrangement provides a flow-rate regulating characteristic stabilized for a long term without suffering the above-described drawback.
• In addition, in the valve device in which thepilot valve314 is pressed against thepilot valve seat318, i.e., against themain valve304, there is a possibility that occurrence of so-called chatter vibration upon closing of thepilot valve314, when thepilot valve314 is not gently seated onto thepilot valve seat318 of themain valve304, namely, when thepilot valve314 is seated onto thepilot valve seat318 with irregular and complicated motion of thepilot valve314 that is caused by abrupt change of the water flow within thepilot channel312. This tendency is prominent, particularly, in an arrangement in which thepilot valve314 is pressed against thepilot valve seat318 of themain valve304 by using an elastic force of a spring.
• In the present embodiment having a different pilot mechanism constituted by thepilot valve34 and thepilot valve seat36, such an inconvenience is not caused.
• The above-described first embodiment is the same with respect to this point.
• In this embodiment, a forcedrotation ring182 is provided on a lower side of the secondaxial portion64, so as to have a function of forcedly rotate therotor170 upon pressing of thedrive ring160.
• This forcedrotation ring182 is set on thebase portion78 of therotation preventing member76, as shown inFIG. 12.
• As shown inFIGS. 13 and 15, the forcedrotation ring182 has a tubular shape as a whole, with an inwardly extendingflange portion184 provided in a lower end of the forcedrotation ring182. Thespring122 is interposed between the inwardly extendingflange portion184 and an outwardly extendingflange portion186 of the secondaxial portion64.
• Theflange portion184 of theforce rotary ring182 serves also as a slip washer, so that the forcedrotation ring182 is slippingly rotated on thebase portion78 of therotation preventing member76 upon rotation of thesleeve82, i.e., upon rotation of the secondaxial portion64 that is caused integrally with the rotation of thesleeve82, for thereby preventing thespring122 from being twisted or deformed by the rotation of the secondaxial portion64.
• Consequently, it is possible to cause the upward elastic force of thespring122 to act as a predetermined appropriate elastic force.
• The forcedrotation ring182 is integrally provided with a plurality ofclaws187 that are arranged at a predetermined spacing interval in the circumferential direction. Theclaws187 protrude upwardly from an upper end of thering182, and have inclined upper surfaces providing cam surfaces188.
• When a downward force is applied from thedrive ring160 to therotor170, the cam surfaces188 are brought into contact withcorner portions190 of lower surfaces of the respective protrudingportions112, as shown inFIG. 14 in detail, whereby therotor170 is forcedly rotated owing to the cam effect, in counterclockwise direction as seen inFIGS. 14A,14B.
• Where a resistance against rotation of the rotor170 (i.e., a sum of a resistance against sliding of therotor170 on an upper surface of theflange portion186 of the secondaxial portion64 and a resistance against sliding of therotor170 on the cam surfaces100 of the drive ring160) is small, therotor170 is rotated by the cam effect provided by the cam surfaces100 of thedrive ring160 and cam surfaces116-1 (seeFIG. 14) of therotor170 owing to the biasing force of thespring122, even before contact of therotor170 with the cam surfaces188 of the forcedrotation ring182.
• The resistance against the rotation of therotor170 is gradually increased by abrasion powders produced on the sliding surfaces as a result of long-term use.
• Therefore, there is a risk that therotor170 is not lightly and smoothly rotated even if thedrive ring160 is pressed downwardly.
• However, even if therotor170 is not smoothly rotated, therotor170 is forcedly rotated by the cam surfaces188 of the forcedrotation ring180, as a result of contact of thecorner portions190 of the protrudingportions112 of therotor170 with the cam surfaces188 of the forcedrotation ring182, which is made by strongly pressing thedrive ring160 in the downward direction.
• In this embodiment, as is clearly shown inFIGS. 14A,14B, the cam surfaces116-1 of therotor170 brought into contact with the cam surfaces100 of thedrive ring160 are different from the cam surfaces116-2 provided by upper surfaces of the protrudingportions112, with respect to inclination. Described in detail, the cam surfaces116-2 of the protrudingportions112 have a larger inclination than that of the cam surfaces116-1.
• The cam surfaces116-2 of the protrudingportions112 are to be brought into contact with the cam surfaces108 of theguide portion104 of thesleeve82, for thereby rotating therotor170 owing to the cam effect.
• As shown inFIG. 15,fitting protrusions192 are provided on an outer circumferential surface of the forcedrotation ring182. Thefitting protrusions192 are fitted infitting portions194 of thesleeve82 whereby the forcedrotation ring182 is rotated integrally with rotation of thesleeve82.
• As shown inFIGS. 14A,14B,ribs196 are provided on a lower surface of therotor170 so as to arranged at a predetermined spacing interval in the circumferential direction, so that therotor170 is held in contact at theribs196 with an upper surface of theflange portion186.
• Each of theribs196 is elongated, and has a cross sectional shape that is downwardly convex and curved, so that eachrib196 is in contact at a distal end of the downwardly convex and curved surface with the upper surface of theflange portion186.
• That is, the contact of therotor170 with theflange portion186 is made through a line contact rather than a surface contact.
• Consequently, therotor170 can be smoothly rotated on theflange portion187 with a small sliding resistance.
• Eachrib196 may be formed to have an arcuate shape extending in a direction of circumference or rotation of therotor170 or have a straight linear shape extending in a direction of line tangent to the circumference of therotor170. However, in this embodiment, eachrib196 is formed to be inclined to extend away from an inner peripheral end toward an outer peripheral end.
• Described in detail, eachrib196 is inclined in such a direction that causes abrasion powders (produced on the sliding surfaces) to be displaced by eachrib196, away from the inner peripheral end toward the outer peripheral end when therotor170 is rotated in a direction indicated by arrow inFIGS. 14A,14B.
• Thus, eachrib196 serves to assure smooth rotation of therotor170 owing to the line contact and also to prevent increase of the sliding resistance that could be caused by the abrasion powders (produced on the sliding surfaces).
• Further, in this embodiment, an upper protruding portion62-2 and a lower axial portion62-1 of the firstaxial portion62 are constituted independently of each other, and are connected via a ball joint198, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 19C, such that the two portions62-1,62-2 are rotatable relative to each other in three dimensional directions.
• Described in detail, aball portion200 is formed integrally in an upper end portion of the lower axial portion62-1, and theball portion200 is fitted in a spherical recessedsurface202 of the upper protruding portion62-2 such that theball portion200 is rotatable in the three dimensional directions.
• Consequently, even if an external force is applied to the firstaxial portion62 as shown inFIG. 19C, only the upper protruding portion62-2 that is constituted independently of the lower axial portion62-1 is tilted, while the lower axial portion62-1 is held in perpendicular posture without the lower axial portion62-1 being influenced by the external force.
• It is therefore possible to effectively prevent tilting of the lower axial portion62-1 that could affect sealing arrangement provided by the O rings40,77.
• In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 12,13,17A,17B and18A,18B, anannular groove204 is formed in a lower end portion of the firstaxial portion62 that is located on a lower side of the above-described recessedportion44, so as to receive therein an elastic retainer ring206 (E ring in this embodiment) having a diameter larger than the firstaxial portion62. Thiselastic retainer ring206 has a function as described below.
• In the valve device of the present embodiment, as described above, thepilot valve34 is moved in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure) so as to control the pressure in theback pressure chamber26, for thereby causing themain valve20 to be moved (displaced) in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure) following thepilot valve34.
• In this valve device, as long as a pressure of supplied water is within a normal range, it is possible to cause themain valve20 to follow the movement of thepilot valve34 and accordingly to be satisfactorily moved in its opening/closing direction.
• However, in a low pressure stage in which the supplied water pressure is lower than a predetermined value, it is not necessarily possible to assure movement of themain valve20 in the opening/closing direction following the movement of thepilot valve34.
• That is, when themain valve20 is placed in the closed state or slightly open state, there could be a case in which themain valve20 is not moved in the upward direction (as seen in the figure) following the movement of thepilot valve34.
• In such a case, according to the present embodiment, when thepilot valve34, i.e., the firstaxial portion62 is moved upwardly (as seen in the figure) by a certain distance, theelastic retainer ring206 provided in the lower end portion of the firstaxial portion62 is brought into contact with the lower surface of themain valve20, as shown inFIG. 18B. Thus, even if themain valve20 is not lifted following the upward movement of thepilot valve34 owing to pressure balance, themain valve20 is forcedly lifted by further upward movement of thepilot valve34.
• Therefore, in this embodiment, even where themain valve20 is not smoothly moved by control of the pressure in theback pressure chamber26 performed by thepilot valve34, themain valve20 can be physically or mechanically lifted by the firstaxial portion62, by continuously moving the firstaxial portion62 in the upward direction (as seen in the figure), thereby making it possible to reliably open themain valve20 so as to perform the water discharge, or making it possible to increase the opening degree of the main channel so as to increase the water discharge rate.
• As described above, theelastic retainer ring206 serves as a contact member, which is brought into contact with the lower surface of themain valve20 upon the upward movement of thepilot valve34, i.e., firstaxial portion62 by a certain distance, so as to cause themain valve20 to be forcedly open. The contact member may be provided by any one of various kinds of members other than theelastic retainer ring206, or may be otherwise constructed to be provided in the lower end portion of the firstaxial portion62.
• In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 12, there is provided, in addition to theO ring77 arranged to seal between theback pressure chamber26 and the firstaxial portion62, another O ring (annular elastic seal member)208 which is disposed in a position right above theO ring77 and which is held in elastic contact with an outer circumferential surface of the firstaxial portion62.
• ThisO ring208 has function as described below.
• That is, theO ring208 serves to cooperate with the O ring77 (disposed right below the O ring208) to define a grease retainer for retain therein grease as lubricant for assuring smooth sliding movement of the firstaxial portion62.
• Owing to the effect provided by formation of the grease retainer by theO ring208, it is possible to effectively prevent leakage of the grease outwardly, specifically described, prevent leakage of the grease in the upward direction (as seen in the figure).
• In addition, theO ring208 serves as a dust seal for preventing external dust or the like from entering the grease retainer and adhering onto the sliding surface of the firstaxial portion62.
• In the present embodiment, each of the O rings40,77,208 is provided by an O ring made of a mixture including, as a filler, white carbon in place of carbon black.
• Specifically, the O ring providing each of the O rings40,77,208 is provided by E575 (product code) made of EPDM and available from NOK CORPORATION.
• Further, in the present embodiment, as constructions for attaching the O rings40,77,208, there are employed constructions as follows:
• Themain valve body22 of themain valve20 has an innerannular portion210 and an outerannular portion212 that protrude from its plate surface. TheO ring40 is fitted in a recess inside the innerannular portion210 and is held in elastic contact with the outer circumferential surface of the firstaxial portion62.
• TheO ring40 received in the recess defined by the innerannular portion210 is prevented by acap214, from being removed from the recess.
• As shown inFIGS. 16A,16B, thecap214 has a shallow inverted-plate like shape, and is attached to themain valve body22 such thatelastic claws216 formed in thecap214 cove the innerannular portion210 and the O ring40 (that is accommodated inside the inner annular portion210). Theelastic claws216 are elastically engaged torespective cutout portion218 that are provided at root of the outerannular portion212, so that thecap214 is prevented from being removed from themain valve body22.
• InFIGS. 16A,16B,reference signs219,221 denote a protrusion and a cutout, respectively, which are provided for positioning thecap214 and the outerannular portion212 relative to each other in the rotating direction.
• The construction for attaching theO ring77 is basically the same as that for attaching theO ring40 except for that theO ring77 is attached in a direction vertically inverse to a direction of the attachment of theO ring40 and that the innerannular portion210 and the outerannular portion212 are provided on a lower surface of the above-described back-pressurechamber defining member54.
• The construction for attaching theO ring208 is basically the same as those for attaching the O rings40,77. However, in the construction for attaching theO ring208, there is provided aclosure portion220 in place of thecap214, such that theclosure portion220 is formed integrally in thebase portion78 of the rotating preventingmember76.
• According to this construction, the O rings40,77,208 can be easily attached in respective states in which they are fitted on the firstaxial portion62.
• Further, each of the O rings40,77,208 can be easily replaced with a new one when it is damaged or worn requiring the replacement.
• FIGS. 21A-26E show an operating device in the present embodiment.
• This operating device has a rotary-type flow-rate regulating handle224 and a pushbutton-type water discharge/stop operatingportion228, as shown inFIG. 21.
• Anindication230 is provided on an upper surface of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228, as shown inFIG. 22.
• The water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is fixed in the rotating direction and is movable only in the vertical direction (as seen in the figure).
• As shown inFIGS. 21A-21E, the rotary-type flow-rate regulating handle224 has a circular ring-like shape as a whole, and is provided with alever226 that is located in a predetermined circumferential portion and outwardly protrudes.
• It is noted that the flow-rate regulating handle224 is slightly tapered as a whole.
• Between the above-describedsleeve82 and the ring-shaped flow-rate regulating handle224, there are interposed aninner ring member232 as an intermediate ring for transmitting the operational force, and anouter ring member234.
• As shown inFIGS. 22A,22B and23A,23B,23C, theinner ring member232 has a tubular shape, and is mounted on thesleeve82 from top to down, such that theinner ring member232 is supported from downside by thesleeve82.
• Theinner ring member232 has a positioning through-hole236 that is provided in a predetermined circumferential portion of theinner ring member232, such that apositioning protrusion238 provided on an outer circumferential surface of thesleeve82 is fitted in the positioning through-hole236. Owing to the effect of engagement of the positioning through-hole236 and thepositioning protrusion238, theinner ring member232 is rotated integrally with thesleeve82.
• Theinner ring member232 further had an outwardly protruding,positioning protrusion240 that is provided in a predetermined circumferential portion of an outer circumferential surface of theinner ring member232.
• Meanwhile, theouter ring member234 has atubular portion242, aflange portion244 and downwardly-protrudingelastic claws252, as shown inFIGS. 22A,22B.
• Theouter ring member234 is attached to atubular member254 serving as a support member for supporting theouter ring member234, as shown inFIGS. 21A,21B,21C.
• Described in detail, theelastic claws252 are elastically engaged to an annular-shaped steppedportion258 that is provided by an upper end portion of outer periphery of thetubular member254, such that a bottom portion245 (seeFIGS. 23A-23C) of theouter ring member234 is seated on theflange portion256 of thetubular member254. Thus, theouter ring member234 is supported by thetubular member254 and rotatably attached to thetubular member254.
• It is noted that thetubular member254 has tongue-likefixed portions260 in its lower end portions and is fixedly attached to thehousing166 such that thefixture nut168 and an upper portion of thehousing166 are covered by thetubular member254, as shown inFIG. 21.
• Theouter ring member234 has a pair ofprotrusions246,248 that are provided in a predetermined circumferential portion of an inner circumferential surface of theouter ring member234. Theprotrusions246,248 are spaced apart from each other by a small distance and protrude inwardly, as shown in a partially enlarged viewFIG. 23B.
• Between theprotrusions246,248, there is formed apositioning groove250 in which the outwardly protruding,positioning protrusion240 of theinner ring member232 is fitted as shown also inFIG. 25, whereby theinner ring member232 and theouter ring member234 are rotatable integrally with each other.
• Aprotrusion246 as one of the pair ofprotrusions246,248 is cut at its vertically intermediate portion that provides acutout portion249 by which theprotrusion246 is divided into an upper protrusion246-1 and a lower protrusion246-2.
• As shown inFIG. 22A, theouter ring member234 further has positioningcutouts262 and upwardly-extendingelastic claws264 that are provided in theflange portion244. A plurality of pairs of thecutouts262 andclaws264 are provided in respective circumferential portions of theflange portion244, such that thecutout262 and claw264 of each of the pairs are positioned in respective different positions.
• Further, in theflange portion244, upwardly-extendingfitting guides266 are provided for the flow-rate regulating handle224 that is slightly tapered.
• Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 22A, the flow-rate regulating handle224 hasribs268 and engagingprotrusions270 that are provided in respective circumferential portions of an inner circumferential surface of thehandle224. Theribs268 serve as positioning protrusions to be fitted in thepositioning cutouts262 of theouter ring member234, while the engagingprotrusions270 are provided to be elastically engaged to the upwardly-extendingelastic claws264.
• The flow-rate regulating handle224 and theouter ring member234 are rotatable integrally with each other owing to the fitting of thecutouts262 of theouter ring member234 and theribs268 of the flow-rate regulating handle224. Further, the flow-rate regulating handle224 and theouter ring member234 are fixed to each other in the vertical direction owing to the effect of the engagement of the upwardly-extendingelastic claws264 of theouter ring member234 and the engagingprotrusions270 of the flow-rate regulating handle224.
• That is, the flow-rate regulating handle224 is prevented by the effect of the engagement of theelastic claws264 and the engagingprotrusions270, from being removed from theouter ring member234 in the upward direction (as seen in the figure).
• As shown inFIGS. 24A,24B,24C, thetubular member254 as the support member has an accurate-shaped, upwardly-extendingportion272 extending upwardly from an upper surface of the inwardly-extendingflange portion256. The upwardly-extendingportion272 has a vertically-extending,positioning recess274 that is provided in a circumferentially intermediate portion of an inner circumferential surface of the upwardly-extendingportion272.
• Meanwhile, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 has a downwardly-extendingportion276 extending downwardly from anupper wall282 of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228.
• This downwardly-extendingportion276 has a rotating-direction positioning protrusion278 which is provided in its circumferentially intermediate portion and extends downwardly.
• As shown inFIG. 25, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is attached to thetubular member254 with the downwardly-extendingportion276 being held in fitting engagement with the upwardly-extendingportion272. The water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is positioned relative to thetubular member254 owing to thepositioning protrusion278 being fitted in thepositioning recess274. That is, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is fixed relative to thetubular member254 in the rotating direction, owing to the positioning effect.
• The water discharge/stop operatingportion228 further has a radially-outwardly-extendingstopper protrusion280 in a circumferential end of the accurate-shaped downwardly-extendingportion276.
• Thisstopper protrusion280 is provided to define an end position upon operative rotation of the flow-rate regulating handle224 in a low flow-rate direction.
• Described in detail, the rotation of the flow-rate regulating handle224 is limited upon contact of thestopper protrusion280 with the above-described protrusion246 (i.e., upper protrusion246-1, described more in detail) of theouter ring member234.
• Thisstopper protrusion280 serves also as a lock protrusion for locking the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 in the water stopping state.
• As described above, the flow-rate regulating handle224 is positioned in the minimum flow-rate position by contact of the upper protrusion246-1 of theouter ring member234 with thestopper protrusion280 of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228.FIG. 25 andFIGS. 26B,26D show this state.
• In this state, as shown inFIG. 26C, when the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is pressed downwardly, the pushbutton-type water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is held in a pressed-down position by the above-described thrust lock mechanism.
• In this instance, thestopper protrusion280 is also positioned in a position which is lower than a position shown inFIGS. 26B,26D, described in detail, which has the same height as thecutout249 between the upper protrusion246-1 and lower protrusion246-2 as shown inFIG. 26E.
• In this state, the flow-rate regulating handle224, i.e.,outer ring member234 becomes rotatable further in the counterclockwise direction.
• Then, with rotation of the flow-rate regulating handle224 in the counterclockwise direction by a small angle, thestopper protrusion290 is received into thecutout249 between the upper protrusion246-1 and the lower protrusion246-2, as shown inFIGS. 26C,26E.
• In this state, even if an ON (opening) operation is applied to the water discharge/stop operatingportion228, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is inhibited by the contact of thestopper protrusion280 with the upper protrusion246-2, from being upwardly moved. Thus, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is held in the pressed-down position, i.e., the water stop position.
• It is noted that the flow-rate regulating handle224 is inhibited from being further rotated, by contact of theprotrusion246 with a circumferential end of the arcuate-shaped, upwardly-extendingportion272, as shown inFIGS. 26C,26E.
• As shown inFIGS. 24A,24B,24C, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 further has a circular-shapedpresser portion284 provided on a lower surface of theupper wall282 and extending downwardly.
• With a downward force being applied to the water discharge/stop operatingportion228, thedrive ring160 is pressed downwardly by thepresser portion284 whereby thepilot valve34 integrally provided in the firstaxial portion62 is moved in the downward direction.
• The downwardly pressed water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is held by the above-described thrust lock mechanism, in the pressed-down position, i.e., a lowered position.
• The water discharge/stop operatingportion228 further has an outwardly-extendingflange portion286, which is provided withelastic pieces288 that are located in respective circumferential portions (four portions in this embodiment) of theflange portion286. Each of theelastic pieces288 has a pair ofprotrusions290 provided in its distal end portion, such that one and the other of theprotrusions290 extend upwardly and downwardly, as shown inFIG. 21C.
• Each of theprotrusions290 has an outer surface provided by a curved surface.
• Theflange portion286,elastic pieces288 and protrusions290 (provided in the distal end portions of the elastic pieces288) function as follows:
• When the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is pressed downwardly inFIGS. 21A,21B,21C, theflange portion286 is brought into contact with theflange portion244 of theouter ring member234, so as to define a lowered end.
• In this instance, the downwardly extending protrusion provided in the distal end portion of each of theelastic pieces288 is first brought into contact with theflange portion244 so that eachelastic piece288 is elastically deformed. The elastic deformation of eachelastic piece288 alleviates impact of theflange portion286 of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 against theflange portion244 of theouter ring member234. Thus, the impact is damped. Owing to this arrangement, it is possible to effectively reduce noise generated when the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is pressed downwardly.
• On the other hand, when the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is elevated by applying a pressing force to the water discharge/stop operatingportion228, theflange portion286 of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is brought into contact with an inwardly-extendingflange portion227 of the flow-rate regulating handle224, so as to define an elevated end.
• In this instance, too, the upwardly extending protrusion provided in each of theelastic pieces288 of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is first brought into contact with theflange portion244 of the flow-rate regulating handle224 so that eachelastic piece288 is elastically deformed. The elastic deformation of eachelastic piece288 alleviates impact of theflange portion286 of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 against theflange portion227 of the flow-rate regulating handle224, for thereby reducing noise generated upon the impact.
• There will be described operation of the above-described operating device as a whole.
• FIG. 26A shows a state in which the flow-rate regulating handle224 has been rotated to a maximum flow-rate position. In this state, the water is caused to flow through the main channel by a maximum flow rate, with the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 being in an opening operation.
• When the flow-rate regulating handle224 is rotated from this state in counterclockwise direction (as seen in the figure), the protrusion246 (i.e., upper protrusion246-1, described in detail) of theouter ring member234 that is rotated integrally with the flow-rate regulating handle224 is brought into contact with thestopper protrusion280 of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 in a minimum flow-rate position as shown inFIGS. 26B,26D, whereby further rotation of the flow-rate regulating handle224 is once inhibited.
• In this state, when the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is pressed to be held in the pressed position, the flow-rate regulating handle224 becomes allowed to be further rotated by a small amount.
• Then, when the flow-rate regulating handle224 is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the small amount, theprotrusion246 of theouter ring member234 is brought into contact with the circumferential end of the upwardly-extendingportion272 of thetubular member254, whereby further rotation of the flow-rate regulating handle224 becomes inhibited.
• In this state, thestopper protrusion280 of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228, which is held in the pressed position, enters thecutout249 defined between the upper protrusion246-1 and the lower protrusion246-2, whereby vertical movement of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 becomes inhibited.
• That is, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is thus placed in a locked state. Therefore, in this state, even if the pressing force is applied to the water discharge/stop operatingportion228, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is not moved upwardly, so that the water discharge based on elevation of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is not carried out.
• In the operating device of this embodiment, while being placed in the pressed position during the water stopping state, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 does not substantially protrude upwardly from the ring-like shaped flow-rate regulating handle224, so that it is possible to prevent occurrence of inconvenience such as non-intentional water discharge that could be caused by non-intentional operation of the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 due to application of an external force thereto during the water stopping state.
• That is, the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is surrounded from its outside by the ring-like shaped flow-rate regulating handle224 serving as a guard ring, thereby making it possible to effectively prevent non-intentional and erroneous operation applied to the water discharge/stop operatingportion228.
• Further, the operating device of this embodiment has a feature that a desired flow rate can be pre-set by a rotational operation applied to the flow-rate regulating handle224 even during the water stopping state. That is, when the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is operated to carry out the water discharging operation, the Water can be discharged by the desired flow rate from initiation of the water discharging operation, by pre-setting the flow rate through the flow-rate regulating handle224 during the water stopping state.
• Further, in this embodiment, since the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 and the flow-rate regulating handle224 are disposed independently of each other and are actuated independently of each other, it is possible to obtain an advantage that the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 can be locked in the water stopping state, by utilizing the difference therebetween with respect to actuation.
• FIGS. 27A,27B and28A,28B show another embodiment.
• In this embodiment, adrive ring292 is provided by a ring having a small axial length, and an inverted-cup-like shaped transmittingmember294 is interposed between thedrive ring292 and the water discharge/stop operatingportion228 so that the pressing force applied to the pushbutton-type water discharge/stop operatingportion228 is transmitted to thedrive ring292 in the axial direction.
• The transmittingmember294 is isolated from rotation of thesleeve82 so as not to be rotated by the rotation of thesleeve82, so that the transmittingmember294 is freely rotatable relative to thedrive ring292.
• That is, in this example, a member for applying the pressing force and a member for applying the rotational force are provided by respective members that are separated from each other.
• The transmittingmember294 has a recess in a central portion of its upper wall, and anengaging hole296 is provided in a bottom portion of the recess. An elastic engagingclaw298, which is provided to extend upwardly from the protruding portion62-2 of the firstaxial portion62, is held in engagement with the engaginghole296, so that the transmittingmember294 is prevented from being removed upwardly (as seen in the figure).
• While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments have been described by way of examples.
• For example, in the above-described embodiments, the lock mechanism incorporated in the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism, i.e., the lock mechanism configured to alternately switch the water discharging/stopping pilot valve between the water discharge position and the water stop position and to hold the water discharging/stopping pilot valve in the position is provided by the thrust lock mechanism. However, this lock mechanism may be provided by a heart cam mechanism or any other lock mechanism.
• Further, the present invention may be embodied with various changes within a range that is not deviated from the gist of the invention.

Claims (7)

1-6. (canceled)

7. A pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device comprising:

(a) a main valve which is to be advanced and retreated relative to a main valve seat in directions toward and away from said main valve seat, so as to change an opening degree of a main channel;

(b) a back pressure chamber which is defined on a back side of said main valve and which causes an internal pressure therein acts as a pressing force on said main valve in a valve-closing direction;

(c) an introducing small hole which is to introduce a water from an inflow channel as a primary side portion of the main channel, into said back pressure chamber, so as to increase a pressure in said back pressure chamber;

(d) a pilot channel which is formed through said main valve and which communicates said back pressure chamber and an outflow channel as a secondary side portion of the main channel, so as to discharge the water from said back pressure chamber, for thereby reducing the pressure in said back pressure chamber;

(e) a flow regulating pilot valve which is to be advanced and retreated in advanced and retreated directions of said main valve, so as to control an opening degree of said pilot channel; and

(f) a flow regulating mechanism which is to advance and retreat said flow regulating pilot valve, so as to establish a flow regulating position according to an amount of advance/retreat movement of said flow regulating pilot valve, for thereby performing flow regulating,

wherein a flow rate of the water flowing through the main channel is regulated by causing said main valve to be advanced and retreated following the advance/retreat movement of said flow regulating pilot valve,

said pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device further comprising:

(g) a water discharging/stopping pilot valve configured to open and closing said pilot channel; and

(h) a water discharging/stopping switching mechanism configured to advance and retreat said water discharging/stopping pilot valve between a water stop position for closing said pilot channel and a water discharge position for opening said pilot channel, so as to selectively establish a water discharging state and a water stopping state,

wherein said flow regulating mechanism is configured to maintain the flow regulating position of said flow regulating pilot valve in a flow regulating position that is previously adjusted, when said water discharging/stopping switching mechanism causes said water discharging/stopping pilot valve to perform a water discharge operation after causing said water discharging/stopping pilot valve to perform a water stopping operation.

8. The pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to clam7,

wherein said flow regulating pilot valve and said water discharging/stopping pilot valve are disposed separately from each other,

and wherein said flow regulating mechanism and said water discharging/stopping switching mechanism are configured to advance/retreat said flow regulating pilot valve and said water discharging/stopping pilot valve, respectively, independently of each other.

9. The pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to clam7,

wherein said flow regulating pilot valve and said water discharging/stopping pilot valve are constituted by a common pilot valve,

and wherein said flow regulating mechanism is configured to change the water stop position of the common pilot valve according to the adjusted flow regulating position, while the water discharging/stopping switching mechanism is configured to advance/retreat the common pilot valve between the adjusted flow regulating position as the water discharge position and the changed water stop position.

10. The pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to clam9,

wherein said common pilot valve is disposed in a drive rod that is expandable and contractable,

and wherein said flow regulating mechanism is configured to axially shift a position of an entirety of said common pilot valve by causing said drive rod to be expanded and contracted, for thereby changing the flow regulating position and the water stop position of said common pilot valve.

11. The pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according to clam10,

wherein said drive rod is divided into two divided axial portions one of which is provided with said common pilot valve such that said two divided axial portions are held in thread-engagement with each other,

and wherein said drive rod is expanded and contracted by advance/retreat movement of the one of the divided axial portions, which is caused by a screw feed as a result of rotation of the other of the divided axial portions made by a rotary operating member.

12. The pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device according toclaim 7, wherein said water discharging/stopping switching mechanism has a lock mechanism configured to place said water discharging/stopping pilot valve into a selected one of the water discharge position and the water stop position, and to hold said water discharging/stopping pilot valve in the selected one of the water discharge position and the water stop position.

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